while the vast majority of our discussions are collecting/target shooting related.  I am also interested in using my single shot rifle for actual hunting.   

I am currently considering what to do with a really nice little German stalking rifle that was built in the 5.6x35r Vierling (.22 hornet) 
Most likely it is a GI souvenir.  From what I have read the cartridge was used in Germany with relative low power loads for pest control and also and the lightest possible cartridge in their "running boar"-type competition. As a result they tended to use rather light low pressure loads where as US 22 hornet cartridges tended to go the opposite direction to stretch the range for 'chuck-hunting.    
My rifle seems to exhibit a fair amount of erosion ahead of the throat--no pitting but the rifling just looks badly worn.  the front 2/3 thirds of the bore look really nice. MY guess is that after being brought back it was shot a lot with US style "hotter" 22 hornet loads.
If the worn bore proves inaccurate, after some minor gunsmithing repairs, I am considering relining. 
-so simply realigning to .22 Hornet is not high on my list.   I already have a sufficiency of 22 centerfire rifles.  I am considering the options for continuing its use as a hunting rifle with the 25-20 ss as my top option since I already have several rifles in that caliber and the barrel/action size preclude larger sized cases.
I am wondering about the use of the 25-20ss as a small to small-medium game rifle.

I'm also kind of wondering why we tend to ignore the use of our singles shots in the hunting woods and fields?

oddly enough ALL of the Germanic schuetzens I have owned even the really heavy ones, not just "stalking rifles", have sling swivels.   
Maybe simply to carry them to and from the range? (Although cartoons and a few photos I have seen are them carried in what appears to be fitted lethal cases---with shoulder slings.)   It'd be a lot easier to carry slung over the shoulder with your shooting case in the off hand on the tram on even on a bicycle.
Many of my Ruger single shots also came with swivels, of course the Rugers are designed and marketed as hunting rifles first and foremost.

correction   damn "ought to korrect"   S/B   LEATHER cases not "lethal"  well most of the time I guess

One year coming back from Raton, I stopped near Wellington Colorado to hunt prairie dogs with my 25-20 SS. Hiked out onto the prairie and found a nice town. Wasn't long I spied me a big fat dog on a mound about two hundred yards distant. Just right because I had been shooting that distance. Removed the scope caps and placed the cross hairs in his chest. A long slow squeeze, a 111 gr Pope bullet was on it's way. There was no wind that day so a center hold was possible. Was a huge prairie dog, he flinched as he bent over, stood straight up and clutched his chest. His head went back ass he did two complete turns as if he were a bowling pin. He staggered and coughed, then fell flat on his back in a puff of dust. I'll never forget that hunt, that shot. Yes, the 25-20 SS is bad medicine on prairie dogs. 


              Joe.

Medium size game aka whitetail I would say no. That's about half the energy of what's considered humane. But I think it would be a fantastic rd for small game up to 100ish pd mark. I know there are a couple whitetail sub species that exist in a few states that actually fit into this category. 

I only hunt with singles. Whether front stuffer or break action or bolt. I like to hunt knowing there is no second chance. So no wing shots. 
I have a slip on soft sling like the one mentioned before. Almost a must with anything 8lb +

While I agree with those who feel that the 25-20 (in either flavor) is too light for anything but small game, there is a thread in the 'Hunting' section of the Shiloh Sharps forum where someone took a prong-horn with his 25-20 in a single-shot rifle (forgotten which model). If you want a 25cal for game then think .257 Roberts or 25-06.

Problem with the small caliber center-fires for me is Virginia makes a clear distinction Rim Fire and Center Fire. If CF rules apply as with more powerful calibers, elevated stand if East of the Blue Ridge Mt's.That pretty much rules them out for Small Game hunting. 

Far as killing Deer with one of the little pistol calibers, It's a stunt not a sport. I see the same thing all the time with guys looking for light tackle fish records. Big fish light line. Only thing is the fish gets away and recovers. Deer goes off to die.

Boats

Jeff_Schultz wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2014 at 6:19pm:

Per this story by Milo Hanson, he shot it with a .308 Winchester Model 88 lever gun.
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Lot of similar discussion contained in the various 1920's "Arms and The Man" articles that Frank posted a link to in another thread.
For some, nothing smaller than a 405 Win or 45-70 would do.   
Know your rifle, know your ammunition, know your animal, know your shooting conditions, and know your own capabilities.